Syringomyelia/Chiari Malformation

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Irene, I am so sorry to hear that you have been so ill. I hope you are alright now darling. ♥

Jack will be just fine, and good for you for being so observant and noticing. Yes, brushing his teeth weekly is better than most of us do. I give mine "Greenie Treats", and so far, so good. Oliver had to have a General Anesthetic at the height of his illness, and he did just fine. I'm sure Jack will also.

Since today is Tuesday, I think you meant to say he would have his tooth extracted on Wednesday (tomorrow), or perhaps I am misunderstanding. Gosh angel, you are stressing. Please don't worry. He is in excellent hands, and will be just fine. This is not Emergency Surgery insofar as they are unaware of his condition and medication.

I hope both of you feel better soon. Do keep us posted, on BOTH of you, please. ♥

[Georgia's Mommy]

Good luck to both you and Jack! I'm sure all will be fine. Anesthesia is always scary. Sending positive thoughts your way!!

I hope everyone is doing well. Georgia is hanging in there. She had acupuncture earlier today and has slept the evening away.
Now let's hope that I do, too!

Kelly

[Georgia's Mommy]

Checking in to see how JackNYC is doing. I hope all went well with the procedure.

Georgia is doing okay. I felt like we were having such progress a few weeks ago but are now at a stand still. Either way, my focus is that she is not suffering. I'm happy to report that she is fairly stable with some rough bouts but nothing like we experienced when I first arrived on this board at the end of 2011. The weather really seems to impact her condition. We've had a mild winter but a lot of rain. She is sleeping through the night and letting me sleep, too. Big improvement.

Her holistic vet is on vacation for 3 weeks. This will be the longest period without acupuncture. She has started new herbs. I'm kind of overwhelmed with all the medication but the herbs are temporary to clean out her system. I don't quite understand how the holistic herbs help but Georgia is doing well. So I can't complain. I'll schedule her to visit the neurologist in April.

She is so mouthy lately. Barks at me all the time. Today after our walk, I left Georgia in the yard (her normal routine after being home all day...she loves to be outside). Today she barked to come in (I thought). When I went to get her she looked at me and went to sit in the yard. It turns out she wanted me outside with her. Every time I went inside, she barked for me to come out. Spoiled much? Absolutely!!!

Each day is a challenge but Georgia brings me so much job. Love her so much.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, I am pleased to hear that Georgia is being "lippy"! She must be feeling better. How sweet that she wanted Mum outside to play with her.

This winter has been very kind to Oliver as well. As you are discovering, the very first year Oliver was diagnosed, was his worst. As soon as the cold hit, he was back to square 1. We can't control the weather, only how we treat it, but it does have a huge impact on our dogs.

Irene, it has been far too long since we've heard from you! While they say "no news is good news", I prefer to hear it from the horse's mouth! Please let us know how Jack is doing.

Hugs to you all!

[jacknyc]

Hi All, sorry for being MIA. Today (3/6/12) is Jack's procedure. I will be taking him there within the hour. It's seems as if he knows what's coming, he's been so quiet and not himself all morning. I know he is in good hands and getting a tooth extracted is very routine. I suppose I just worry so much because he has CM/SM. I just don't want him having a flare up or experiencing any more pain then necessary. They may not be able to get him his mid day dose due to the the timing of the surgery. Plus my heart breaks thinking of my baby in a cage all alone when he is used to being all warm and cozy on the couch with his friend Penny while I am at work . I know I am such a worry wort

Anyway, I will update later. Thanks for you kind thoughts of concern. Hugs to you all

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Irene, all of us are concerned whenever our babies have to undergo a procedure. I'm sure Jack is home, safe and sound by now and recovering. Please update us when you have a chance.

I'm sending healing hugs to Jack. ♥

[jacknyc]

Thanks for you kind words Deb. just wanted to give a quick update- Jack had a tough time yesterday recovering from the anesthesia and pain Meds. He was so sleepy and nervous- jumping at every noise, being afraid of the garbage bag. This is sooooo not like happy calm Jack. For lack of a better description it was like he was having a bad trip:(
However today he is returning back to himself. I knew it this morning when his eyes got back their soul as I call it. No more glassy eyed look!
One thing I have also noticed is his scratching and back leg twitches with yelps has increased since we got home( these are Jack's classic CM symptoms that have been fairly well controlled ) I am hoping this is temporary and only due to him missing his mid day dose yesterday and then just being stressed from being at the vet all day. I will give it a few days before I star seriously worrying ( so she says)
Ok off to bed. Let me know how you're all doing.xxx

[Georgia's Mommy]

I hope Jack has a speedy recovery!! I totally understand your stress.

I hope Jack continues to return to normal post surgery!

Best wishes!

Kelly

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Irene, your description was spot on and I'm sure exactly what was happening with Jack. I also think you are right that he is extra sore and tender today from the activities and stress of his day at the Vet. I know what you mean about the soul returning to their eyes.

Try not to worry too much angel. I'm sure in a few days, when Jack is completely healed and convinced that ordeal is well behind him, he will be back to normal. I've learned through Oliver just how resilient our little boys can be.

Do keep us posted as I want to hear when Jack is back to good. Take care of yourself as well, and try not to worry...too much.

[princelover]

Just a short note to say that I am hoping that every one of our fur babies are recovering well and that the warmer weather will bring each and every one of them much relief from their condition. While I don't post much in this thread, I read it every time I am online and keep up with it as a way of being up to speed on this horrific condition our babies can endure.
Godspeed to each and every one.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Sher, thank you so much! I know I can speak for those of us with dogs afflicted with this horrific condition when I say your support means a great deal.

We appreciate the support of so many who keep up with this thread and keep our beloved companions in their thoughts and prayers. ♥

[Georgia's Mommy]

Georgia and I appreciate the love and good wishes. This disease is taking a toll on my poor girl. I treasure the good days. I miss my happy-go-lucky puppy but will always love and do whatever I can for my sweet Georgia.

Lots of playing with the puppy and a nice long walk. Then she wanted to sleep in the sun most of the day. Love the beautiful weather.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Kelly

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Kelly, I know you are giving Georgia the very best life. ♥

Today was a gorgeous day here as well. We learned the hard way with Oliver that long walks, however slow, were not his friend, sadly. He loves to go on them. He is full of P&V while on them. However, unless we keep it quite short, within a day or two, his symptoms return with a vengeance. I hope that Georgia manages better with hers.

We also discovered that Oliver is able to jump up on the bed...it is very low to the ground. He will do that if he thinks he is missing out on something, but like the walks, if he does it too often, he pays dearly now.

Oliver's favourite game is catching the light reflection from my watch. He is smart enough to know that the sun + Mummy's watch = his "friend" coming to play. That gives him some exercise that is limited, so it's a win/win. He is hilarious trying to catch the reflection. I love seeing his bright eyes.

I am ever hopeful that our beloved companions can live with their ailments, and continue to thrive. Once we find the right balance, it's amazing how well they do. I'm sure Georgia is a very happy little girl. She has a wonderful Mum.

Irene, how is Jack feeling now? I hope you are both well.

[Georgia's Mommy]

Hi All!

Hope everyone is having a lovely day. Georgia has been doing really well lately. I hope everyone is also doing well. My love bug is loving this beautiful early spring on the East Coast of the U.S. Here is a cute photo (taken last year). She doesn't mind when I dress her up. Of course, she knows she'll get a treat for doing so! Happy St. Patrick's day!

Kelly & Georgia

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Awwww bless! Georgia looks so pretty in her Irish Finery on this beautiful St. Patrick's Day! She is so cute!!! I love the glasses, the hat, the necklace...the entire ensemble! ♥

You put a huge smile on my face.

Oliver is doing really well with this warmer winter. It has been such a blessing. I have noticed though that he is struggling a bit in the late afternoon when the house heats up. It is affecting his heart, not his SM/CM. Normally I keep the house at approximately 18C but with this warmer weather and the sun shining, the house is about 23 or 24 by late afternoon. It cools off in the evening, and I refuse to turn on the A/C in March. That is like turning on the heat in August. I won't do it...unless it is going to be really warm for several days in a row, and then I might for Oliver's sake.

All in all though, he is doing very well. I hope Jack is well, and I'm pleased to hear that Georgia is doing so well.